About 300 employees at the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) have downed tools and embarked on a nationwide strike.
The strike action comes after wage negotiations between the employer and employees reached a deadlock, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (SATAWU) announced on Thursday.
Affected employees include those responsible for towing, patrols and emergency response. They couldn’t reach an agreement with the employer at the latest round of wage negotiations early this week which forced the union to serve notice to embark on a strike action.
“The employer is only offering a 6% across the board wage increase. Also at stake is the signing of the union recognition agreement due to a dispute regarding paid time off and benefits for full-time shop stewards,” said SATAWU spokesperson Zanele Sabela.
Amongst other things, workers are demanding a 12% increase across the board, R9 000 minimum wage (not cost to company), a 13th cheque and the in sourcing of 50 outsourced employees.
They are demanding that the AA should make a 60% contribution to the pension fund and medical scheme as well.
